About the ABE

What is the American Board of Endodontics?

The American Association of Endodontists sponsors the American Board of Endodontics. Founded in 1956, the American Board of Endodontics is the only certifying board for the specialty of endodontics and is one of the nine specialty boards recognized by the American Dental Association.

The activities of the ABE conform to the "Requirements for Recognition of Dental Specialties and National Certifying Boards for Dental Specialists" of the American Dental Association Council on Dental Education and Licensure.

The purpose of the ABE is to assure the public that the endodontists it certifies have demonstrated exceptional knowledge, skill, and expertise in the specialty of endodontics and to progressively raise the quality of patient care.

Education Qualifications

Definitions

Educationally Qualified Endodontist:

An endodontist who has successfully completed an advanced education program in endodontics accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the ADA.

Prospective Board Candidate:

A student enrolled in the year that the certificate in endodontics will be issued and received from an advanced education program in endodontics accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the ADA, whose application and payment of the Written Examination fee have been accepted and approved by the Board.

Board-Eligible Endodontist:

Board Eligible status is only available to endodontists that have been awarded and have received a Certificate in Endodontics by an advanced education program in endodontics accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the ADA or to endodontists who satisfy the criteria of the ABE’s alternative pathway for graduates of non-accredited advanced education programs in endodontics

Board-Certified Endodontist:

An endodontist who has satisfied all requirements of the Certification process of the ABE has been declared Board Certified by the Directors of the ABE, and maintains Board Certification. This individual is a Diplomate of the ABE.

ABE Certificate

A certificate bearing the seal of the ABE and signatures of the Directors of the Board shall be awarded to each successful Candidate.

The Directors of the ABE shall have the power to suspend temporarily or to revoke permanently any certificate issued by the Board on presentation of sufficient evidence that the person in whose name the certificate is issued has not fulfilled the current requirements of the Board or has ceased to conduct an ethical practice according to the American Dental Association Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. The certificate remains the property of the ABE and must be surrendered upon revocation. The Diplomate has the right to appeal the suspension/revocation of Board Certification.

Mission Statement

The American Association of Endodontists sponsors the American Board of Endodontics. Founded in 1956, the American Board of Endodontics is the only certifying board for the specialty of endodontics and is recognized by the American Dental Association.

ABE Diplomate status is awarded to qualified Candidates who have demonstrated diagnostic skill, clinical proficiency, and professional judgment of a level that promotes the highest quality of care for patients. They have taken an examination administered by a panel of experts of their peers and have demonstrated an exemplary level of knowledge, understanding, and clinical expertise in endodontics.